Machiavellian (adjective)
Pronunciation: [mak-ee-ê-'vel-ee-ên]
Definition: (1) Characterized by unscrupulous cunning, deception, or expediency; (2) manipulative, resorting to exploiting and misleading others in pursuit of one's personal goals.
Usage: Today's word is the adjective that expresses the conviction that the ends justify any means, including unethical and immoral ones. It is not used as an adverb but the noun is "Machiavellianism." Since the word's eponym persists as a topic of conversation itself, we continue to capitalize it, even though it is used as a common adjective.
Suggested Usage: As mentioned above, this term originally referred to political behavior: "The United States has historically employed Machiavellian principles in defending its interests in Central and South America." Its wider application was quickly noted, however, "Burnham Goode quickly rose to the presidency of the university by resorting to Machiavellian tactics that left him friendless for the entirety of his term."
Etymology: Taken from the surname of Niccolò de Bernardo Machiavelli (1469-1527), an Italian political philosopher who advocated political expediency above morality in his monograph, 'The Prince.' Machiavelli's surname, then, is the eponym of today's word. It was originally used by the French as a simple derogatory epithet for Italians in general but the meaning was refined when borrowed into English.
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